We check in with people at each stage of the cash transfer process to see how things are going. Take a look at some of their stories as they appear here in real-time.
Learn more about how recipients opt in to share their stories.
Describe the moment when you received your money. How did you feel?
I saw the GiveDirectly Mpesa message at around 8am that beautiful morning. I was overwhelmed with joy and almost run mad.That day I didn't do my usual casual labor because the transfers gave me hope in life.
Describe the biggest difference in your daily life since you started receiving payments from GiveDirectly.
The biggest difference in my daily life is owning an additional dairy cow that I had desired for the past two years but couldn't afford. This is because it will act as an alternative milk source during the dry spells. I am also happy because through the transfers I now take thick tea which I couldn't afford. My kids' have grown healthier and happier more than before. I am also confident while going for occasions because I am decently dressed and I even well respected in meetings because of my dress code.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I spent KES 25000 on a heifer because I had only one dairy cow. This is because it will be a source of milk and income for my family. I also spent KES 8000 on twenty chicken layers which can cater for household expenditure because it was quite a struggle. I also spent KES 2000 on three sofaset seater because I had old arm chairs.I also spent KES 4000 on latest clothing fashion for family because initially I could afford to buy only second hand clothes.I also spent KES 3500 on food and household items. I also saved the rest for household consumption.
Enrolled
access_time over 3 years ago
What does receiving this money mean to you?
Receiving this money will mean financial independency in my life. I have been aspiring to have a source of income of my own since I solely depend on my husband's income which is hardly enough to cater for the entire family. My husband work as a night guard in the city earning a meagre wage of Ksh 10,000 a month. Owing to this, my intention is to buy a dairy cow which cost approximately Ksh 20,000. I will sell surplus milk and earn some cash and use it to improve my house in the future.
What is the happiest part of your day?
I am a casual labourer working in other people's farms within and outside the village. The work that I do from morning to evening ranges from weeding, digging, harvesting to working as a house help with a meagre wage of approximately Ksh 200 a day. Having time to relax in the evening with some cash and/or food for my family is my joy. This makes my evening the happiest part of my day.
What is the biggest hardship you've faced in your life?
The biggest hardship I have faced in life is prolonged drought in our area. This has led to low crop production yet we only harvest 5 bags of maize in our 0.5 acre of land. This is hardly enough to cater for the entire family of 6 for school fees and other domestic expenses. My husband had to look for an alternative source of income as a guard in the city in order to sustain us a family. Our future plan is to gain financial mileage through the sell of milk since we are planning to buy a dairy through the transfer we will get from Give Directly.
